Sod-line marker



July 5 e 63u21 A. HEDRICK SDD LINE MARKER Filed April 7, i926 Jniy 5, 1927.

tJNiTED STATES PATENT OFFICE..

ARNOLD HEDRICK, 0F LATHAM, KANSAS.

SOD-LNE Application filed April 7,

This invent-ion relatesl to a novel appliance adapted for use in association with railroad tracks, and the device may be conveniently referred to as a. sod line marker.

The prevailing custom of attempting to maintain a straight and uniform sod line on railway ballasts has been emphasized time and time again by prominent railroad 0f- :[icials- It is maintained that the important factor in the construction of such a ballast is to keep the protruding portions on 0pposite sides of they track of uniform width and to maintain the sod line at a uniform distance from the outer rail to add to the appearance of the road bed. The fact has also been stressed that the toe line of the ballast must be kept parallel with the rail at all times.

The foregoing demand has induced me to provide a novel appliance by means of which the correct sod line maybe maintained in order to provide a uniform and improved ballast.

My principal aim is to provide a simple and inexpensive contrivance composed of' sturdy parts associated in such a manner as to facilitate use of the device and to utilize the outer rail of the track as a means for maintaining` the device in an operative state.

The particular features of construction and advantages derived from their specific association will become apparent from the following description and drawing.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a device or appliance constructed in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a section taken approximately on the plane of the line 2-2 of Figure 1 looking in the direction ofthe arrows.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail sectional view of the marker per se.

ln carrying out the invention, I employ a novel marker which is adjustable, a supporting and carrying frame therefor, and means for slidably connecting this frame with the outer rail of a track whereby to provide the desired parallel sod line.

The carrier frame comprises an extensible angle bar 1 composed of an inner section 2, and outer section 3. The horizontal pord tions these sections are formed with openadapted to register with each et to MARKER.

1926. Serial 170.1005355.

accommodate a connecting bolt 4. Also, a retaining bolt 5 is connected with the flanges of the two sectionsto aid in connecting them together. Connected to the outer end portion of the section is a diagonai'member 6 in the form of a light weight angle iron. At the inner end of this member 6 is a curved shoe 7 which is adapted to drag against the head of the rail 8. A connecting brace 9 is connected with the section 2 and also with the member 6 thus forming the so called carrying frame, Also associated with this section 2 is a track connect-ing device shown better in Figure 2. A

Referring to this figure it will be seen that the device comprises a right angle bracket 10 connect-ed to the top of the angle bar 1 and a complemental bracket 11 connected to the under side of the same member. These brackets are so arranged as to provide a guide for reception of the head of the rail 8. It will be noted that the bracket 10 carries a curved finger 12 to facilitate operation of the device.

rit the outer end of the bar 1 is an upstanding tubular guide 13 which is con nected to the bar in any appropriate manner. Referring to Figure 3, it will be seen that the marker strip 14 extends slidably down through this guide, the lower end of the marker being adapted to rest on the road bed to define the sod line.

Supported adjacent the guide 13 is a flexible supporting member 15 for a key 16. rFhis key is adapted to extend through openings in the guide 13 and selectively through apertures formed in the strip 141-. It is yet to be pointed out that a handle loop 17 is connected to the outer end of the bar 1. The operator may grasp this vloop or may provide a separate handle for reception in the loop for moving the device along in marking the sod line.

In practice, the brackets 10 and 11 are engaged in the ball or head of the outer rail 8 on the track in a manner to permit the supporting frame work to extend outwardly a distance of about eight feet from this rail. T he arcuate shoe 7 is engaged with the track as indicated in Figure 1 and then the handle is engaged with the loop 17 as the device is drawn or slid along the rail. Assuming that the marking strip has been properly adu jjusted, it will. be aan that alsod line will be marked v with the rail and at a predetermined eistance from the rail.; The

proper Width may be obtained by adjusting the parts 2 and 3 ot the main angle bar l. Most sod lines are disposed about the saine point on modern railroad beds, and very little, if any, adjustment is ordinarily required. However, the adjustment can be had with this device, and at this time :t Wish to state that it it is desired to inal-:e the member 6 adjustable that may be easily done by n'laling it of extensible sections the same as the bar l.

A device ot the character speeitied and shown will no doubt be clear to those skilled in the art to which the invention relates and the method ot using` the sanne and the advantages derived trom its use will be Vfull;7 appreciated, therefore a more lengthy description is thought nni'iecessarv.

lVhile the preferred embodinient of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes coming,` Within the ield ot' invention claimed may be resorted to it desired.

Having thns described the invention, what l clann as nen7 and desire to secure by Letters Patent is ln a line marker ot the class described, a supporting and carrying)v traine comprising right nal angle iron connected at its enter the outer end portion 0l the inain bar, a connecting brace between said angle bars disposed in parallelism to the rail, curv drag shoe connected to the inner end ot t ed he diagonal bar and adapted to slidablj' contact the head ot the rail, brackets att 'red to the top and bottom el" the inner end ofthe main bar and forming a guide` tor slidable reception ot the rail head, an npstanding` tube at the onter end ot the niainbar, and a marking strip slidably and adjustably mounted in said tube.

ln testimony whereof alii;Y my signature.

ARNOLD Hill) NGK. 

